[Raymond Hettinger]
The word deviate inaccurately suggests that we do not have a compliant method which, of course, we do. There are two methods, one context aware and the other context free. The proposal is to change the behavior of the context free version, treat it as a bug, and alter it in the middle of a major release.
I didn't suggest changing this for 2.4.2. Although, now that you mention it ... <wink>.
The sole argument resembles bible thumping.
I'm sorry, but if you mentally reduced everything I've written about this to "the sole argument", rational discussion has become impossible here. In the meantime, I've asked Mike Cowlishaw what his intent was, and what the standard may eventually say. I didn't express a preference to him. He said he'll think about it and try to get back to me by Sunday.